Author Archives: AFP

Bayern Munich travel to promoted St Pauli on Saturday knowing a win will take them six points clear of RB Leipzig, who host mid-table Borussia Moenchengladbach later in the day. With defending champions Bayer Leverkusen not hitting last year’s heights and Borussia Dortmund lacking consistency, Bayern and Leipzig have emerged as this season’s title contenders. But Leipzig’s 2-1 loss at Dortmund last week, their first in the league this season, has given Vincent Kompany’s Bayern the chance to grow their lead at the top of the table. On Thursday, the Bundesliga released the next phase of the draw, with Bayern hosting Leipzig on the Friday before Christmas. While neutrals may be hoping for a title race to go well into the spring, Bayern’s form have them threatening to pull away

Champions League holders Real Madrid fell to a 3-1 home defeat by AC Milan on Tuesday in the group stage with striker Kylian Mbappe unable to find the net again. The 25-year-old France captain has scored once in his last six matches for Madrid across all competitions, including three losses for Los Blancos. Malick Thiaw headed the Italian side ahead before Vinicius Junior levelled from the penalty spot for the hosts. Alvaro Morata struck against his former side to restore Milan’s lead before the break and Tijjani Reijnders netted the third to secure Milan’s victory. Madrid were unable to bounce back strongly from the 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in late October, their last outing after Saturday’s La Liga match at Valencia was postponed because of devastating floods in the east